Afleveringen

  • How do you balance a career in regulatory affairs with family life? In this episode, Charles discusses this topic with Mary Christian, the Senior Vice President of Regulatory and Safety at C4 Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company focused on targeted protein degradation. They talk about the importance of effective communication, career development, and work-life balance in the pharmaceutical industry.

    Mary also offers advice for young mothers and career professionals on making choices that align with their personal and professional goals, highlighting the evolving nature of career and family life.

    Here's what you're in:

    00:02 Introduction and Career Background

    07:52 Building Capabilities for Career Reentry

    16:42 C4 Therapeutics and Protein Degradation

    24:00 Communication in Clinical Trials

    28:35 Overcoming Challenges in Decision-Making

    35:47 Shifting Perspectives in Career Growth

    42:01 Balancing Career and Family Life

    About Mary Christian

    Mary Christian, PharmD, MBA, is the Senior Vice President of Regulatory and Safety at C4 Therapeutics, Inc. A passionate and decisive biopharma executive, leader, and advisor, Mary delivers visionary solutions across all phases of drug development. She has demonstrated success in creating, building, and integrating novel capabilities in an international biopharma environment, as well as deconstructing organizations to create fit-for-purpose solutions and value opportunities.

    Apart from her work, Mary is devoted to mentoring through initiatives like Project Onramp. She has also steered many company changes. On top of her career, she's a proud mom to three accomplished adults and a loving grandmother to four girls.

    Connect with Mary:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-christianpharmd

    Website: https://c4therapeutics.com/

    About Charles

    Charles Spence leads Discera, a leading recruitment firm specializing in the biopharma industry. He graduated with a biomedical degree, has worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent years doing diabetes research. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate.

    In 2023, Charles decided to launch his firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH.

    Connect with Charles:

    LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/

    Website: https://www.discera-search.com/

  • Leadership and Diversity in Drug Development with Anita Scheuber.

    In this episode, Charles talks with Anita Scheuber,the SVP of clinical development at Nimbus Therapeutics—a biotech firm using computational technology to develop medicines. She shares their pioneering work in AI-targeted drug discovery and her experience co-founding the biotech startup Hestia.

    Anita highlights how different backgrounds help solve problems, the value of mentorship, and how to beat feelings of being an imposter. She also shares tips for strong leadership and gives guidance to budding biotech entrepreneurs.

    Here's what you're in:

    01:01 Anita's Journey to the U.S.

    02:35  Switching from Neuroscience to Oncology

    07:56 Joining Nimbus Therapeutics

    10:07 Why Workplace Diversity Matters

    14:56 Founding Hestia-A Startup biotech

    24:40 Leadership and Personal Growth

    30:14 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

    32:16 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

    About Anita Scheuber

    Anita Scheuber brings over 15 years of pharmaceutical industry experience to Nimbus, specializing in oncology clinical development. Her expertise spans small molecule and immuno-oncology drug development across various stages and tumor types. She has held leadership positions at Trillium Therapeutics, Boston Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer, and GSK. She holds an M.D. from the University of Zurich and a Ph.D. in Neurosciences from Sorbonne University, with additional training at Harvard Medical School and Swiss hospitals.

    Connect with Guest

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-scheuber-8a1a8220/

    Website: https://www.nimbustx.com/

    About Charles

    Charles Spence leads Discera, a leading recruitment firm specializing in the biopharma industry. He graduated with a biomedical degree, has worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent years doing diabetes research. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate.

    In 2023, Charles decided to launch his firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH.

    Connect with Charles:

    LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/

    Website: https://www.discera-search.com/

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  • In this episode, Charles talks with Jackie Donovan, the VP and Chief Marketing Officer at Syndax Pharmaceuticals, an oncology-focused company. She shares her knowledge about her experiences in consulting, internal pharma roles, and her strategic approach to organizational planning. This conversation also touches on the importance of communication, the challenges of workforce planning, and how to build an efficient and happy organization.

    Lastly, Jackie shares her passion-driven initiative, Kathy's Fund, which aims to support nurse leaders and honor her mother's legacy.

    Here's what you're in:

    00:31 Jackie's Career as Scottish Parliament to Pharma

    06:17 Workforce Planning in Pharma

    08:04 Case Study about Syndax Pharmaceuticals

    10:48 Workforce Planning Challenges and Benefits

    19:29 Organizational Success Reflections

    19:37 Future Building

    20:03 Workforce Capabilities

    22:08 Junior Manager Advice

    23:23 Management Communication

    24:29 Workforce Transformation Lessons

    25:59 Efficiency and Digitalization

    28:47 Employee Efficiency Improvement

    31:54 HR Partners' Value

    38:18 Kathy's Fund and Personal Motivation

    About Jackie Donovan

    Jackie Donovan is a seasoned Human Resources leader with a strong background in developing and managing people operations in the pharmaceutical industry. Currently, she serves as the VP, CMO Chief of Staff, Development Business Operations at Syndax Pharmaceuticals, where she plays a critical role in driving strategic initiatives. Prior to this, she was the SVP, Head of People at LifeMine Therapeutics, where she led efforts in employee benefits and compensation. Her expertise in aligning stakeholder perspectives and building strong relationships with C-level executives has been key to her success in these roles.

    Connect with Guest:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-codair-donovan-a6964312/

    Website: https://syndax.com/

    About Charles

    Charles Spence leads Discera, a leading recruitment firm specializing in the biopharma industry. He graduated with a biomedical degree, has worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent years doing diabetes research. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate.

    In 2023, Charles decided to launch his firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH.

    Connect with Charles:

    LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/

    Website: https://www.discera-search.com/

  • Hiring Practices and Transparency in Recruitment

    In this episode, Charles discuss with Patrizio Renzetti, the former Head of HR at Arrakis Therapeutics that discovers RNA-targeted medicines, the importance of cultural fit, psychological safety, and effective communication in the workplace.

    He also covers the role of recruiters in bringing diverse perspectives and ensuring a good organizational fit, offering practical tips for both leaders and job seekers to improve their experiences and outcomes.

    Here's what you're in:

    00:00 Introduction and Moving to the US

    05:35 The Importance of Cultural Understanding

    07:22 Effective Leadership and Communication

    13:49 Creating Psychological Safety and Transparency

    17:39 Hiring Practices and Transparency

    24:27 Recruitment Strategies and Best Practices

    24:42 The Shift from Selling to Providing Accurate Information

    29:42 Optimizing the Hiring Process

    35:33 Building Trust and Collaboration with Recruiters

    37:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    About Patrizio Renzetti

    Patrizio Renzetti brings twenty years of HR expertise in creating environments that draw, keep, and grow top talent at fast-growing firms, including top biopharmaceutical companies. He comes to Arrakis from Agios Pharmaceuticals, where he was the Vice President of Human Resources for R&D, Technical Operations, and Europe, after leading Talent Acquisition. Before that, he had senior HR positions at Eli Lilly and Company, working with Global Clinical Development, the Diabetes Business Unit, and the Italian Manufacturing site. Earlier on, he worked in various HR roles for Procter & Gamble in Italy.

    Connect with Guest:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrizio-renzetti-382125/

    About Charles

    Charles Spence leads Discera, a leading recruitment firm specializing in the biopharma industry.

    He graduated with a biomedical degree, has worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent years doing diabetes research. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate.

    In 2023, Charles decided to launch his firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH.

    Connect with Charles:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/

    Website: https://www.discera-search.com/

  • Cultural Fit vs. Technical Skills: Hiring Strategies for Biotech Startups with Sonal Gupta

    In this episode, Charles interviews Sonal Gupta, the SVP, Head of Clinical Development of AffyImmune Therapeutics-a biopharmaceutical firm focusing on affinity-tuned CAR T cell therapy for solid tumors.

    They discuss about how far does a company get with bad science if they have great leaders, the effective leadership strategies in clinical development, and the importance of Cultural Fit in Hiring.

    She also shares her passion for women in life sciences and her local group aimed at supporting women in the field.

    Here's what you're in for:

    01:30 Sonal's Background and Career Journey

    03:21 Introduction to AffyImmune

    04:41 Bad Science vs. Bad Leadership

    06:52 Clinical Development Leadership

    07:58 Making Difficult Decisions in Leadership

    20:43 Leadership Journey and Interviewing Experience

    21:53 Importance of Cultural Fit in Hiring

    27:55 Advice for Junior Leaders

    28:53 Passion and Enthusiasm in Interviews

    34:57 Quick Fire Questions on Interviewing

    36:41 Personal Journey into Medicine

    37:38 Women in Leadership and Life Sciences

    40:17 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    About Sonal Gupta

    Sonal Gupta has over 15 years of industry experience, with leadership positions at AVROBIO, CRISPR Therapeutics, and Rubius Therapeutics.

    She's led teams in translational research and medicine across areas like oncology and rare diseases. Her expertise spans clinical trial design, medical monitoring, and clinical data management, including biomarker strategies.

    She holds a PhD in cancer research from the University of Bradford, UK, and a medical degree from Government Medical College, Surat, India.

    Connect with Sonal Gupta:

    Website:https://affyimmune.com/

    LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonalkotharigupta/

    About Charles

    Charles Spence leads Discera, a leading recruitment firm specializing in the biopharma industry.

    He graduated with a biomedical degree, has worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent years doing diabetes research. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate.

    In 2023, Charles decided to launch his firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH.

    Connect with Charles:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/

    Website: https://www.discera-search.com/

  • In this episode, Charles interviews John Goldener, a former pediatrician who transitioned into a successful career as a pharmaceutical industry recruiter. He specializes in retained executive search for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

    With over 20-25 years in clinical development recruitment, John shares valuable lessons learned, common mistakes, and effective partnership strategies. This conversation is packed with lessons for both recruiters and candidates aiming to navigate the competitive world of specialized recruitment.

    Here's what you're in:

    00:00 John Goldener Introduction

    02:38 Starting a Recruiting Firm

    06:06 Building a Network

    12:02 Understanding the Science

    19:07 The Importance of Retained Search

    23:05 Impact of Considerate Recruitment Approaches

    24:10 Personalized Interview Process

    25:08 Challenges with Contingency Search

    26:51 Importance of Candidate Fit

    27:50 Quality-Based Recruiting System

    30:52 Differences in Hiring Practices

    32:31 Biotech vs. Big Pharma Dynamics

    41:59 Advice for Job Seekers

    46:11 Final Thoughts and Reflections

    About John Goldener

    Former pediatrician John Goldener transitioned into a pharmaceutical recruiter with over 20 years of experience and founded his own executive search firm, Goldener Executive Search Associates, focusing on oncology clinical development. With an MD and extensive clinical background, including running his practice and chairing a department, he placed 8-12 candidates yearly, totaling 100+ placements. Known for meticulous research and networking, plus attending key industry conferences, Goldener's expertise covers U.S. and European markets, working with companies like Genentech and numerous biotech firms. He combines medical knowledge with recruiting acumen to provide thorough candidate evaluations and job descriptions.

    Connect with Guest:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-goldener-aa6642/

    About Charles

    Charles Spence leads Discera, a leading recruitment firm specializing in the biopharma industry.

    He graduated with a biomedical degree, has worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent years doing diabetes research. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate.

    In 2023, Charles decided to launch his firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH.

    Connect with Charles:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/

    Website: https://www.discera-search.com/

  • In this episode, Sumeet Ambarkhane, the Chief Medical Officer at Alligator Bioscience, which focuses on tumor-targeted immunotherapies, talks about the work his company does in creating new cancer treatments that help the immune system target tumors. He discusses their work on a drug called metazolamab and shares stories from his career, including a big success he had with a special antibody treatment at MorphoSys—a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company that develops innovative medicines.

    He also talks about important things to consider when hiring people and how the field of developing new medical treatments is changing.

    Here's what you're in for:

    00:50 AI and Industry Trends

    01:36 How Sumeet's career in Biotech Started

    02:45 Sumeet's Professional Journey and Current Role

    05:08 Hard Parts and New Ideas at Alligator Bioscience

    14:42 Career Reflections and Lessons Learned

    34:30 Tips on Hiring and Making a Good Team

    45:29 Wrapping Up and gratitude

    About Sumeet Ambarkhane

    Sumeet Ambarkhane has been the Chief Medical Officer at Alligator Bioscience and part of the senior management since 2022. He is an experienced clinical development physician with a strong expertise in Oncology, Hemato-oncology, and Immunology Drug Development. He has in-depth experience in Medical Monitoring, Clinical Program Management, Regulatory Interactions, Translational Research, and Drug Safety.

    He exhibits high-impact leadership at the organizational level and maintains a global network of Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) and drug development experts.

    Connect with Sumeet Ambarkhane:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sumeetambarkhane/?originalSubdomain=de

    Website: https://alligatorbioscience.se/en/

    About Charles

    Charles Spence leads Discera, a leading recruitment firm specializing in the biopharma industry.

    He graduated with a biomedical degree, has worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent years doing diabetes research. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate.

    In 2023, Charles decided to launch his firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH.

    Connect with Charles:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/

    Website: https://www.discera-search.com/

  • In this podcast episode Charles presents a unique approach to job searching by outsourcing various tasks to optimize your time and effort. He discusses the challenges of the current job market, especially with biotech layoffs, and offers practical steps to outsource tasks like finding job adverts and identifying hiring managers. Learn about resources like Upwork, Fiverr, and ChatGPT to streamline your job search.

    This episode is helpful for anyone looking to improve the quantity and quality of their job applications in a tough market.

    Here's what you're in for:

    01:35 Current Job Market Challenges

    03:43 Common Job Search Mistakes

    06:55 Outsourcing Your Job Search: An Overview

    08:55 Practical Steps for Outsourcing

    11:02 Advanced Outsourcing Techniques

    12:48 Building a Proactive Job Search Strategy

    14:25 Leveraging Technology and Tools

    20:23 Creating a Comprehensive Outsourcing Plan

    23:47 Cost and Resources for Outsourcing

    25:30 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    About Charles

    Charles Spence leads Discera, a leading recruitment firm specializing in the biopharma industry.

    He graduated with a biomedical degree, has worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent years doing diabetes research. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate.

    In 2023, Charles decided to launch his firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH.

    Connect with Charles:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/

    Website: https://www.discera-search.com/

  • In this episode, Li Yan, the Managing Director of the US Chinese Anti-Cancer Association and the former CMO of Brii Biosciences, talks about the cultural and job differences in the biotech field. He also discusses clinical trials, new cancer drugs, and how U.S. and Chinese scientists collaborate.

    Li highlights how key mentorship is, the need for clear communication in clinical studies, and ways to handle cross-cultural work challenges.

    Here's what you're in for:

    01:14 Professional Background and Work at Yonsei University

    03:53 Journey from China to the U.S.

    07:14 COVID-19 Research and Clinical Trials

    16:12 Challenges in Clinical Trials and Biotech Industry

    23:22 Cultural Differences and Leadership in Biotech

    25:52 U.S.-China Anti-Cancer Collaboration

    33:12 Mentorship and Career Advice

    About Li Yan

    Li Yan, MD, PhD, Managing Director, US Chinese Anti-Cancer Association; Adjunct Professor at Yonsei University Medical School. He was the former CMO of Brii Biosciences and is now currently preparing his next venture with a stealth start-up.

    Li originally studied medicine in Beijing and then moved to Kansas to begin his oncology and clinical career in the US. From there, he joined J&J, Merck, and GSK before jumping into the fast-moving world of biotech.

    Connect with Li Yan:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/li-yan-88b5b46/

    About Charles

    Charles Spence leads Discera, a leading recruitment firm specializing in the biopharma industry.

    He graduated with a biomedical degree, has worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent years doing diabetes research. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate.

    In 2023, Charles decided to launch his firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH.

    Connect with Charles:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/

    Website: https://www.discera-search.com/

  • In this episode Charles discusses with Val, the previous VP of Medical Affairs at ITM and AAA, the importance of genuine relationship-building and personal presence in the field of Medical Affairs and pharmaceutical industry leadership.

    Val emphasizes that success in this field isn't just about scientific knowledge or achieving immediate results. Instead, it's about how you behave as a person, your ability to be present and attentive in interactions, and your capacity to build long-term relationships based on trust and transparency.

    He sums this up nicely with the quote: "Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity."

    Here's what you're in for:

    03:00 Starting a Career in Nuclear Pharmacy

    07:07 Moving to Medical Affairs

    10:03 Making Connections in Medical Affairs

    18:38 Difficulties and Skills Needed in Medical Affairs

    23:25 Building a Good Medical Affairs Team

    28:22 Leadership Growth: Pros and Cons

    29:19 Handling Growth and People in Organizations

    31:15 Keeping Staff in Expanding Companies

    36:42 When and How to Hire the Right People

    45:15 Overused Words in Job Ads

    51:19 Wrapping Up and Last Ideas

    About Val Nassiri

    Dr. Val Nassiri, MBA, PharmD, Head of Medical Affairs U.S., leads the Medical Affairs team at ITM. He works on strategic plans for radiopharmaceutical projects. Before this, Val was the Head of Medical Affairs at AAA, a Novartis company. He also worked as Senior Director at Daiichi Sankyo. There, he formed teams and made partnerships to help with research. His aim was to help patients live longer. Val graduated from the Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy in Virginia.

    Connect with Val:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/val-nassiri-pharmd-mba-84b7961/

    About Charles

    Charles Spence leads Discera, a leading recruitment firm specializing in the biopharma industry.

    He graduated with a biomedical degree, has worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent years doing diabetes research. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate.

    In 2023, Charles decided to launch his firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH.

    Connect with Charles:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/

    Website: https://www.discera-search.com/

  • In this episode, Charles explore the concept of 'empathy bridges' and how they can be used to improve communication and relationships within the workplace.

    It also covers empathy in overcoming work challenges, featuring case studies and personal stories, and offers steps to build empathy bridges, vital for career progression.

    Here's what to expect:

    01:36 How Empathy Helps in Talking to Others

    01:55 Knowing the Hard Parts of Work

    03:12 What an Empathy Bridge Is and Why It Matters

    07:44 A True Story: Leading with Empathy

    09:49 Steps to Make Empathy Bridges

    11:46 Wrapping Up and Last Ideas

    About Charles

    Charles Spence leads Discera, a leading recruitment firm specializing in the biopharma industry.

    He graduated with a biomedical degree, has worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent years doing diabetes research. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate.

    In 2023, Charles decided to launch his firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH.

    Connect with Charles:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/

    Website: https://www.discera-search.com/

  • In this episode, Charles interviews Sabine Brookman-May, VP of Oncology R&D at Johnson and Johnson. They cover her path from being the first college graduate in her family to working at J&J, transitioning from hospitals to pharmaceuticals, and lessons from successful and failed drug trials.

    Sabine shares insights on balancing a demanding career with family, the importance of diversity in the workplace, effective team communication, and leadership. She concludes by discussing the role of mentors in her professional development.

    Here's what you're in for:

    00:57 Childhood and Education Journey

    03:27 Choosing a Career in Medicine

    09:55 Career Path and Industry Transition

    16:32 Challenges and Successes in Drug Development

    32:41 Leadership and Workplace Culture

    38:46 Quickfire Questions and Conclusion

    About Sabine Brookman-May

    Prof. Sabine Brookman-May is a urologist, cancer expert, and sports medicine doctor. She is the Vice President of Cancer Research & Development at Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine. There, she leads the work on new cancer treatments. Her leadership and new ideas are key in creating new therapies in the cancer field.

    Connect with Sabine:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prof-dr-med-sabine-d-brookman-may-48115728/

    Website: https://www.janssen.com/

    Twitter: https://x.com/brookmans76

    About Charles

    Charles Spence leads Discera, a leading recruitment firm specializing in the biopharma industry.

    He graduated with a biomedical degree, has worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent years doing diabetes research. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate.

    In 2023, Charles decided to launch his firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH.

    Connect with Charles:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/

    Website: https://www.discera-search.com/

  • In this episode, Charles dives into the often misunderstood art of selling. He corrects the misconception that selling is just about having the right answers and emphasizes the importance of asking good questions to uncover real needs and concerns, leading to more impactful conversations.

    He outlines a four-step sales strategy and go through relatable stories and practical advice, this episode guides listeners to improve their selling and communication skills.

    Here's what you're in for:

    02:21 The Biggest Myth in Selling

    03:44 Why Questions Matter

    04:32 Examples of Simple Questions

    05:37 How Conditioning Affects Selling

    08:06 Tips for Good Selling

    12:42 Stories from Real Life and a Plan

    19:40 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

    About Charles

    Charles Spence leads Discera, a leading recruitment firm specializing in the biopharma industry.

    He graduated with a biomedical degree, has worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent years doing diabetes research. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate.

    In 2023, Charles decided to launch his firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH.

    Connect with Charles:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/

    Website: https://www.discera-search.com/

  • In this episode, Charles talks with Crystal Zuckerman, the VP HR of PMV Pharma. They discuss her transition from a large biotech firm like Celgene to a startup biotech. They also talk about how she handles layoffs carefully and the power of personal connections in advancing a career.

    Crystal shares how she brings a personal touch to HR by emphasizing authenticity, accountability and community-building at PMV.

    Here's what you are in for:

    00:50 HR's Role in Biotech Changes

    01:30 Crystal's HR Path and Move to PMV

    05:03 Big Changes in Biotech: Celgene Joins BMS

    08:30 Adjusting to a Smaller Company Feel During COVID

    17:28 Building Responsibility and Influence at Every Level

    21:15 Handling Job Cuts in Biotech

    21:36 Leading Company Changes with Kindness

    23:28 How to Share Tough News

    23:49 Improving Help for Those Leaving Jobs

    25:11 Looking Back on the Layoff Process and Responses

    27:08 Making Layoffs More Personal

    32:16 Tips for Interviews

    35:33 Debunking Interview Myths and Sharing Tips

    40:25 Helping Careers Grow with Project OnRamp

    About Crystal Zuckerman

    Crystal Zuckerman serves as PMV Pharma's Vice President of Human Resources, bringing over 20 years of industry expertise. Her tenure includes a significant stint at Celgene before its acquisition by BMS, after which she joined the more nimble PMV Pharma about 3.5 years ago. A proponent of authenticity and community in corporate culture, Crystal recently managed a sensitive restructuring, ensuring generous support for those affected.

    About Charles

    Charles Spence leads Discera, a leading recruitment firm specializing in the biopharma industry.

    He graduated with a biomedical degree, has worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent years doing diabetes research. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate.

    In 2023, Charles decided to launch his firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH.

    Connect with Charles:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/

    Website: https://www.discera-search.com/

  • In this episode, Charles shares a story about a talented medical oncologist who struggled to progress in his career, both internally and externally at his company, despite being highly skilled technically.

    The main issue was the candidate's inability to effectively sell his achievements and communicate his worth. This inspires Charles to create a series focused on helping professionals, especially those in scientific/medical fields, overcome the challenges of self-promotion for career advancement.

    Here's what you are in for:

    00:06 Introduction

    00:29 Why you can't promotion

    03:45 Sell yourself the right way

    05:56 Final thoughts

    About Charles

    Charles Spence leads Discera, a leading recruitment firm specializing in the biopharma industry.

    He graduated with a biomedical degree, has worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent years doing diabetes research. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate.

    In 2023, Charles decided to launch his firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH.

    Connect with Charles:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/

    Website: https://www.discera-search.com/

  • In this episode,Charles talks with Amber Tong, a senior editor at Endpoints News, about how the Biosecure Act could impact the biotech and pharma sectors.

    Amber shares thoughts on how this law could change U.S.-China biopharma ties, jobs, and making medicines. We also look into how things are changing in this area, who might benefit or not, and the big global tensions that affect these shifts.

    Here's what you are in for:

    00:00 Introduction

    00:33 Welcoming the Guest

    02:36 Discussing the Biosecure Act

    04:34 Impact on the Biotech Industry

    07:17 Geopolitical Tensions and Historical Context

    16:09 Potential Winners and Losers

    35:16 Future Predictions and Conclusion

    About Amber Tong

    Amber Tong is a senior editor at Endpoints News, which is a global specialty publication covering the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. She's a reporter/editor with more than six years of experience covering the biopharma industry, with a particular focus on the growing role China plays on the global stage.

    Amber is also at BIO San Diego 2024, go say hi. 

    Useful Information on BIOSECURE

    Endpoints' latest articles:

    BIO: China tensions, fixing gene therapy’s business model, and the stop-start market recovery

    https://endpts.com/see-you-at-bio-china-tensions-fixing-gene-therapys-business-model-and-the-stop-start-market-recovery/

    WuXi became a critical partner to biopharma companies. They’re not ready if the US cracks down

    https://endpts.com/wuxi-became-a-critical-partner-to-biopharma-companies-theyre-not-ready-if-the-us-cracks-down/

    The US could upend biopharma manufacturing. WuXi rivals have an opening

    https://endpts.com/the-us-could-upend-biopharma-manufacturing-wuxi-rivals-have-an-opening/

    US-China tensions threaten to ensnare additional Chinese biopharma contractors

    https://endpts.com/us-china-tensions-threaten-to-ensnare-additional-chinese-biopharma-contractors/

    New Biosecure draft features 2032 grandfather clause, five-year grace period for added companies

    https://endpts.com/new-biosecure-draft-features-2032-grandfather-clause-five-year-grace-period-for-added-companies/

    BIO CEO defends the organization's about-face on the Biosecure Act

    https://endpts.com/bio-ceo-defends-the-organizations-about-face-on-the-biosecure-act/

    Medicxi backs Chinese biotech's next-gen KRAS G12C drug with $40M injection

    https://endpts.com/medicxi-backs-d3-bios-next-gen-kras-g12c-drug-with-40m-injection/

    About Charles

    Charles Spence leads...

  • In this episode, Charles talks about his top rules for success in recruiting, which he calls 'The 10 Commandments of Recruitment.' He believes that having principles or commandments as a person or business is what sets us apart.

    He also shares a bit of fun insight about who he is and what he believes in business.

    Here's what you are in for:

    00:08 The 10 Commandments of Recruitment

    00:14 Commandment 1: Always Give Feedback

    00:47 Commandment 2: Don't Add to the Problem

    02:47 Commandment 3: It's Not Personal

    03:20 Commandment 4: Pride in Work Before Business

    04:18 Commandment 5: Always Be Learning

    05:07 Commandment 6: Understand Before Advising

    06:04 Commandment 7: Don't Be an Idiot

    06:15 Commandment 8: Be Refreshingly Honest

    07:01 Commandment 9: Be Authentic

    08:00 Commandment 10: Be Different and Keep Going

    About Charles

    Charles Spence leads Discera, a leading recruitment firm specializing in the biopharma industry.

    He graduated with a biomedical degree, has worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent years doing diabetes research. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate.

    In 2023, Charles decided to launch his firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH.

    Connect with Charles:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/

    Website: https://www.discera-search.com/

  • In this episode, Colin Hayward, CMO of Telix- a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company, talks about his contribution to the success of Rituximab which culminated in transforming it into a $3 billion radiopharmaceutical giant.

    He also shares invaluable insights into the challenges of leadership, the burden of firing people, and the strategic decisions that drive success in the fast-paced world of biotech innovation.

    Here's what you are in for:

    01:36 Colin's Switch from Medicine to Biotech 

    04:15 Moving from Treating Patients to Business

    05:58 Lessons from Working on Rituxan

    10:59 Changing Careers: Consulting, CROs, and Teamwork

    23:03 Tips on Hiring and Making a Strong Biotech Team

    27:45 The burden of Firing people

    About Colin Hayward

    Colin Hayward, MD is the former Chief Medical Officer at Telix Pharmaceuticals, a company that specializes in radiopharmaceuticals. He has over 20 years of experience in the global pharmaceutical and biotech industries. Colin leads the medical, regulatory, clinical operations, and safety activities at Telix worldwide.

    He originally wanted to play football professionally for Brighton Hove Albion, but realized he wasn't good enough at age 12. Switched to field hockey, was academically gifted, loved science, and decided to pursue medicine to help people and dive deeper into science.

    About Charles

    Charles Spence leads Discera, a leading recruitment firm specializing in the biopharma industry.

    He graduated with a biomedical degree, has worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent years doing diabetes research. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate.

    In 2023, Charles decided to launch his firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH.

    Connect with Charles:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/

    Website: https://www.discera-search.com/

  • This podcast episode, Charles drops some real talk on communicating well when hiring people. 

    He tells a story about how poor communication can really upset candidates and from this story, he gives three tips for hiring managers. This episode emphasizes that it's good to give rejected candidates helpful, positive feedback and to keep talking to them for possible jobs later on rather than ghosting them.

    He also shares three tips for hiring managers to protect their reputation and improve their interactions with candidates.

    Here's what you are in for:

    00:24 Why Protecting Your Reputation Matters

    00:44 How Feedback Can Strengthen Your Reputation

    02:23 Dealing with Rejection Positively

    07:22 Tips for Hiring Managers on Empowerment and Feedback

    07:56 Knowing How People Act at Work

    15:01 The Need for Empathy and Humility in Hiring

    17:40 Wrapping Up: Keeping Your Good Name at Work

    About Charles

    Charles Spence leads Discera, a leading recruitment firm specializing in the biopharma industry.

    He graduated with a biomedical degree, has worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent years doing diabetes research. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate.

    In 2023, Charles decided to launch his firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH.

    Connect with Charles:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/

    Website: https://www.discera-search.com/

  • In this episode, Ben Pais, Senior Vice President at Ariceum Therapeutics, discusses innovative cancer treatments. His company develops drugs that use radiation to combat cancer.

    He explains their strategies and adjustments in medical technology, focusing on radiotherapy. 

    He talks about the challenges of producing and distributing these drugs and the importance of having capable leaders.

    Ben also explores future developments in this field and how large pharmaceutical companies acquiring smaller ones can impact the industry.

    Here's what you are in for:

    00:22 Moving from Clinical Medicine to Pharma

    02:00 Starting Out from Surgery to Pharma

    04:33 Discovering New Areas in Pharma

    08:50 Getting into Radiopharmaceuticals

    16:02 Growing in a Radiopharmaceutical Career

    19:25 Understanding Radiopharmaceuticals: Simple to Complex

    24:34 Finding Your Way in the Radiopharmaceutical Field

    33:57 What's Next for Radiopharmaceuticals and Career Tips

    About Ben Pais

    Ben is a doctor with 25 years in the life science field. He knows about urology, cardiology, and radiation oncology. He has handled clinical trials (phase I-IV), medical affairs, drug safety, getting products to market, launching products, and early sales steps. Since 2019, he's been a certified Pharmaceutical Physician NVFG. In 2020, he started at Ipsen as the Global Development Lead for Radiopharmaceuticals. Later, he moved to Ariceum.

    About Charles

    Charles Spence leads Discera, a leading recruitment firm specializing in the biopharma industry.

    He graduated with a biomedical degree, has worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent years doing diabetes research. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate.

    In 2023, Charles decided to launch his firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH.

    Connect with Charles:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/

    Website: https://www.discera-search.com/